ISLAMABAD: The management of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has reinstated three officials who were suspended over the sale of infectious waste and theft of a computer containing records of the health card scheme – a move that has raised many an eyebrow.

The inquiry committee had also suggested initiating an investigation under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules 1973 but the probe has not started yet.

It is worth mentioning that on February 27, a vendor hired by the Pims administration to incinerate medical waste on the hospital premises was found involved in the sale of infectious material, such as discarded syringes and blood bags, in cahoots with hospital employees.

Sanitary Inspector Shahid Khattak, Security Assistant Mehboob Abbasi, and a sanitary worker were subsequently suspended. However, Mr Khattak and Mr Abbasi have resumed their duties while the sanitary worker is still suspended.

Another official under whose watch health card scheme data was stolen resumes duties

An official of the hospital requesting not to be named said that Sanitary Inspector Shahid Khattak and Security Assistant Mehboob Abbasi resumed duties at their departments on Wednesday.

Sehat card

He said that recently, a computer in which data of the health card was stored was stolen from the hospital. Consequently, Sehat Sahulat Program held Waseem Irshad – a driver who was also performing duties as a lower division clerk – responsible for the negligence and suggested his transfer from the post.

“On Wednesday, Waseem Irshad also started working on the same post. It is strange that why would the management reinstate these officials to the same posts,” he said, adding that the vendor has been collecting the hospital waste despite the scandal.

The company responsible for the collection of infectious waste from Pims has also been doing the same job in Punjab, so it has been recommended to write a letter to the Punjab government before starting the process of blacklisting the vendor for its alleged involvement in the sale of infectious material.

When contacted, Spokesperson Pims Dr Haider Abbasi said that he was not aware how the said officials were reinstated and assured that he will get back after seeking clarification from the department. However, he did not call back till the filing of this story.

After the sale of hazardous waste was reported in the media, a three-member fact-finding committee, headed by Prof of General Surgery Dr S.H. Waqar, was established.

The inquiry committee had recommended involving the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to start a criminal investigation against the suspects.

While three officials were suspended, the health ministry was requested to initiate inquiry Rules against senior officers who belong to the non-medical cadre.

On March 1, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took notice of the sale of the infectious waste and directed an independent inquiry – to be submitted within two days – instead of an internal inquiry.

Later, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services also took notice of the sale of infectious waste by the Pims employees and the vendor instead of disposing of it in the incinerator.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2023